This biography is from Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, Volume III, by Rutherford Hayner, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., New York and Chicago, 1925. It was submitted by Debby Masterson.

ALEXANDER CAMERON DEWAR—From the ranks of the worker to an independent position at the head of his own undertaking business, Alexander Cameron Dewar has won his own way without influence or resources other than those which he has gained by his own effort, and he now stands among the leaders in his chosen field of endeavor. Mr. Dewar is a son of John and Isabella (Park) Dewar, his father a molder by trade, was born in Scotland, who came to this country in i860, settling in Troy, New York. He died in November, 1902, the mother passing away eight years previous in January, 1894.

Alexander Cameron Dewar was born in Troy, New York, May 14, 1876. He first attended Public School No. 2, then completed his studies at No. 1. At the age of fourteen years he entered the world of industries, learning the molder's trade. He became an expert and worked for several years as a journeyman molder, becoming identified with the molders' union, in which he still holds membership. Mr. Dewar was not satisfied, however, to continue indefinitely in the industry, and while he was still employed as a molder, he attended night sessions of a local business college, following various lines of reading and study, and meanwhile, whatever he felt would tend toward self-improvement. When he accumulated sufficient funds, he entered Renouard's School of Embalming, from which he was graduated in May, 1904. He entered the profession on his own account shortly after his graduation, securing a desirable location in Troy, and from the first was very successful. In 1916 he secured the present quarters and did extensive remodeling and preparation for his occupancy, moving in as soon as they were completed. He has here, at No. 2515 Fifth Avenue, Troy, beautiful funeral parlors, spacious stock room, garage and work shop, all equipped in the most modern way for the handling of his work. He commands the
patronage of the leading families of this city and vicinity, and is highly
esteemed, both as a business man and as a citizen.

In public affairs, Mr. Dewar has always taken the deepest interest, and has been a leading member and worker in the Republican party, this in a section of the city where the Democratic majority is normally overwhelming. Mr. Dewar did ward work for the Republican party before he was old enough to become a voter, and as the years passed he was made one of the foremost leaders of the party in his ward. In 1909 he was nominated for alderman, and while he was defeated, he cut the normal majority from about 750 votes to 54 votes. In 1911 he ran for the office of assessor, and in 1913 he was nominated for the State Assembly from the First District, but in both these cases he was again defeated, although on both occasions cutting the Democratic majority in half. Mr. Dewar's activities, however, were considered so useful to the party and so constructive in public affairs that in 1916 he was appointed financial clerk of the Rensselaer County board of supervisors, an office which he still ably fills. He is also county committeeman for the Second District, Tenth Ward, of Rensselaer County.

Fraternally Mr. Dewar holds membership in Jerusalem Lodge, No.
355, Free and Accepted Masons; Phoenix Chapter, No. 133, Royal Arch
Masons; Bloss Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters; Apollo Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; the Masonic Club, of Upper Troy; and Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Palestine Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of which chapter he served as worthy patron for twelve years, and he is past assistant grand district lecturer of the Albany-Schenectady Rensselaer District. He is a leading member of Rensselaer Lodge, No. 53, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and is also a member of the Grand Lodge and Encampment, the Central Odd Fellows Club, and the Rebekahs. He is a member of the Troy Burns Scottish Club, the Riverside Club, and Troy Kiwanis Club, and finds his chief recreation in out-of-door sports, and at his delightful summer home on Lake Lauderdale, Washington County, he finds excellent fishing. He is a member of the Trojan Rod and Gun Club; and religiously of the Ninth Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Dewar married, September 16, 1914, Emma L. Wager MacQueen, of Troy, and they have one daughter, Carolyn May. Mrs. Dewar is a member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs, and is prominent in political affairs, being a member of the Rensselaer County Republican Committee, and the Rensselaer County Women's Republican Club of Troy.